How much does the 2021 BMW 5 Series cost?

Prices have softened 9.67% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 794 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $28,652.68, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series a good car?

Yes — the 2021 BMW 5 Series earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Technology and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its powerful performance, luxurious comfort, and refined interior, and they also like the handling and aesthetic details. The trade-offs are that some drivers find the engine auto-off behavior annoying, and the car is more luxury-focused than a hardcore enthusiast sedan.

That fits the car’s role well: it’s a midsize luxury sedan with sportier-than-average driving dynamics, strong everyday comfort, and a modern tech upgrade for 2021. With 33.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a car that feels powerful, luxurious, and refined over time, with the kind of comfort and polish that tends to matter most in long-term ownership. The expert evaluation also describes the 5 Series as well engineered and smooth in operation, which supports the impression of a dependable premium sedan.

BMW’s standard warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles, with four years of free roadside assistance. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a luxury sedan like this can become expensive if prior maintenance or option-related repairs were neglected.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 BMW 5 Series?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean title alone does not tell you how the car was maintained or repaired. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on electronics, suspension behavior, and any signs of uneven wear. Pay close attention to whether the car’s options and condition match the asking price, since this model can vary a lot by trim and equipment.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Lower trim levels get standard SensaTec upholstery rather than real leather, while Dakota leather and Nappa leather are available at extra cost.
• Powertrain: The base 530i uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the 540i uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque. The 530e plug-in hybrid is also available.
• Safety package: Standard safety features include lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package adds adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist.
• Infotainment: You get a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with iDrive 7, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L, and a built-in WiFi hotspot.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2021 540i is rated at 26 mpg combined, 23 mpg city, and 31 mpg highway.

Which 2021 BMW 5 Series trim should I buy?

The 2021 BMW 5 Series is offered in 3 trim levels: 530i, 540i, 530e.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The 530i gives you the core 5 Series experience, but lower trim levels get standard SensaTec upholstery rather than real leather, and advanced safety features are not standard.
• Sweet-spot trim: The 540i is the best all-around pick if you want stronger performance, the 48-volt mild-hybrid system, and the more satisfying six-cylinder character without jumping to the higher-performance variants.
• Premium/top trim: The 530e is the efficiency-focused choice if you want plug-in hybrid capability and the ability to drive on electric power for significant distances.

The standard safety setup is solid, but the more advanced driver-assistance features still require the Driving Assistance Plus Package.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 BMW 5 Series?

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 794 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.67% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $28,652.68, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 BMW 5 Series's resale value?

The current average of $28,919 sits slightly below last year's $32,014.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy more carefully now but may also limit short-term upside if you plan to resell soon. For a future seller, the key advantage is that this model still has broad appeal thanks to its comfort, technology, and performance balance. Well-equipped examples should hold interest better than sparsely optioned ones, especially if they present cleanly and have strong service history.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series safe?

The virtually-identical 2020 model received a “Top Safety Pick+” award from IIHS, with top “good” scores in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tests. The standard headlights were rated “marginal,” while optional lights received a “good” rating.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety features include lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package adds adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist, which can help pull the car onto the shoulder if the driver is incapacitated.

The main caveat is that advanced safety features are not standard, so you’ll want to confirm whether a used example has the right package and lighting setup.

Should I buy a 2021 BMW 5 Series or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.67% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• BMW’s 2021 refresh adds a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, and subtle styling updates.

The bottom line: The 2021 model is the right pick if you want the refreshed version with stronger tech and a more modern feel, especially if you value the updated infotainment and mild-hybrid powertrain. If you’re more price-sensitive, a nearby year may still make sense, but the 2021’s combination of features, satisfaction, and softened pricing makes it the cleaner target for most used shoppers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.